Talking points

Australia’s first Antarctic expedition from 1911 to 1914, was led by Sir Douglas Mawson aboard the wooden ship, SY Aurora.

Dog sleds were used for decades to transport food, scientific samples and other cargo, but were eventually replaced by small aircraft, tractors and over-snow vehicles.

Australia was one of 12 original signatories to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty that established the region as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science.

Australia risks ceding its influence in Antarctica to nations such as Russia and China because drastic cuts to scientific research are eroding its credibility in the region, respected scientists say.

They include the Australian Academy of Science, comprising more than 500 of the nation’s leading scientists, which has warned of Australia’s diminishing ability to address its Antarctic interests including its geopolitical claim, sustainable fishing in the Southern Ocean, climate change research and international Antarctic governance.

Australia has sovereignty over 42 per cent of Antarctica – almost six million square kilometres. It has traditionally played a commanding role in the affairs of the continent, largely due to its infrastructure assets and capability.

In a submission to a joint parliamentary probe into Australia’s Antarctic territory, the academy said the effectiveness of the nation’s investment “continues to decline”.

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“Australian leadership in Antarctic science is receding, which is impacting Australia’s influence in the region,” the academy wrote.

“With respect both to infrastructure assets and scientific capability, Australia is falling behind other nations that are taking an increasingly high interest in the Australian Antarctic Territory, particularly China, Russia and India.”

The academy cited a recent meeting of nations to discuss the Antarctic Treaty, hosted by China for the first time, saying it was a “notable exercise of this new influence”.

China has four research stations in the frozen continent and is building a fifth.

The warning comes four years after a federal government-commissioned report warned that while mining in Antarctica was prohibited, some nations may be positioning themselves in the event of a rule change.

A 2014 report to the government warned some nations may be positioning themselves for future mining in Antarctica if a ban was lifted.

The academy pointed to a substantial decline in scientific activity and output, saying the number of projects supported by the Australian Antarctic Science Program fell from 138 a decade ago to 84 last financial year.

It said $13 million in annual federal funding to the Antarctic Climate Change and Ecosystems Co-operative Research Centre and the Antarctic Gateway Partnership was due to end, risking “significant erosion of science capability”.

In its own submission, the Antarctic research centre said established and emerging players including China “could quickly fill any gaps in capability and influence if Australian investment in Antarctica is not maintained”.

The Department of the Environment and Energy told the inquiry that Australia has more than 3300 infrastructure assets in Antarctica worth more than $880 million, however almost half were at the end of their life which “carries significant risk”.

Workers setting up an automatic weather station in Antarctica.Credit:Todor Iolovski

It said the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to Antarctica in a 2016 strategy and 20-year action plan, supported by $2.2 billion in investment. This included $1.9 billion to deliver and run a new icebreaker ship with world-class scientific capability.

However the ACCECR wrote that the ability for researchers to use the new assets was “at great risk given the high level of uncertainty around future science funding”.

The Community and Public Sector Union, which represents employees at the Hobart-based Australian Antarctic Division, said savage staff cuts over the past three years had left the organisation grossly under-resourced.

Employees had told the union that the division was “exhausted” and “we can’t do any more with what we’ve got”.

A spokesman for Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg said the government will consider the findings of the committee when its report was tabled, which is expected mid-year.